endoplasm

American  

[en-duh-plaz-uhm] / ˈɛn dəˌplæz əm /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. the inner portion of the cytoplasm of a cell.

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endoplasm British  

/ ˈɛndəʊˌplæzəm /

noun

1. cytology the inner cytoplasm in some cells, esp protozoa, which is more granular and fluid than the outer cytoplasm See ectoplasm

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Other Word Forms

• endoplasmic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of endoplasm

First recorded in 1880–85; endo- + -plasm

Explanation

The dense, interior layer of a cell's cytoplasm is its endoplasm. Most cellular processes take place in the endoplasm. Endoplasm comes from Greek roots endon, "within or inside," and plasm, "shape." It's the innermost part of a cell, aside from the nucleus. Endoplasm is often granular, in contrast to the watery ectoplasm which lies between it and the cell wall. If your biology teacher mentions endoplasm, she’s probably talking about those tiny, single-celled organisms called amoebas.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

endoplasm

The endoplasm is finely granular; the œsophagus leading into it is very distinct.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)

The endoplasm is granular and contains foreign food-bodies.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)

In some cases ectoplasm and endoplasm can be distinguished.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)

The general protoplasm is divisible into ectoplasm and endoplasm.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

The endoplasm contains a number of large refringent granules—probably body products.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)